Marlborough Rugby Union
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Marlborough Rugby Union |
| Nickname | The Red Devils |
| Colours | Red |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Exited | 2005 |
| Former details | |
| Ground | |
| Competition | NPC |
Marlborough Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played from 1888 until 2005 when they merged with the neighbouring Nelson Bays Rugby Union to become the Tasman Rugby Union.
Marlborough was founded in 1888 and played at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim.[1]
Championships
Marlborough won three New Zealand Championships during the old NPC, consecutive South Island Division with two titles in 1978 and 1979, and Division 3 in 1997.
Ranfurly Shield
1973/74 Ranfurly Shield reign
Marlborough won the Ranfurly Shield in 1973, taking it from Canterbury.[1] They managed six defences before losing to South Canterbury, in the second challenge of 1974.
| 28 July 1973 | Canterbury | 6-13 | Marlborough | |||
| 11 August 1973 | Marlborough | 36-0 | Wairarapa Bush | |||
| 1 September 1973 | Marlborough | 26-9 | North Otago | |||
| 8 September 1973 | Marlborough | 30-6 | Wanganui | |||
| 22 September 1973 | Marlborough | 29-9 | Nelson Bays | |||
| 29 September 1973 | Marlborough | 36-9 | Mid Canterbury | |||
| 27 July 1974 | Marlborough | 18-0 | West Coast | |||
| 17 August 1974 | Marlborough | 6-18 | South Canterbury | |||
Other Ranfurly Shield challenges
Marlborough's last Ranfurly Shield challenge was in the 2005 season, however Marlborough could not match Canterbury's strength this time and lost heavily, 3–67.
Hong Kong Sevens
Marlborough reached the final of the 1977 Hong Kong Sevens, finishing runner-up, losing 18–28 to Fiji.[2]
Merger
Marlborough and Nelson Bays Rugby Union commenced playing as a merged team in the Tasman Rugby Union in the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup.[3]
References
- ^ a b Palenski, Ron (2005). The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby. Auckland: Hodder Moa. p. 395.
- ^ "Fiji wins 'sevens'". The Press. 2 May 1977. p. 34.
- ^ "Tasman rugby". Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2024.